The Coterie Theatre was founded in 1979 by Judith Yeckel and Vicky Lee. Its mission is to provide professional classic and contemporary theatre which challenges audience and artist and provides educational, dramatic outreach programs in the community. It seeks to open communication between races, genders, and generations by redefining children’s theatre to include families and diverse audiences. Ten years ago, The Coterie started a new education program called Project Pride. Each year, a group of teens who identify as queer or a straight ally gather at The Coterie and work to develop a new show that gives a voice to their experiences in Kansas City. The new play is performed on The Coterie stage every March. It challenges assumptions and celebrates the diversity of the participants and the audience, as well as LGBTQ+ history. The Coterie also strives to be welcoming and inclusive of all gender identities and expressions on its mainstage, as well as in its education programming. The Coterie presents 300 mainstage performances to more than 75,000 young people and families, on average annually. Learn more at TheCoterie.org.

Featured in the June 10, 2023 issue of The Independent.